Steeped in a barren landscape and cocooned in quiet stillness, we allow ourselves to journey inwards. Even if you already love and appreciate this introspective season, here are 8 more ways to embrace the energy of Wintertime…
enjoy A sauna experience
Is there anything more satisfying on a below-zero day than basking our bones in cedar-scented warmth? While sauna culture has been woven into the fabric of Midwestern heritage for a long time, we have witnessed a resurgence of interest in recent years. The health benefits of a sauna session are many; one of the most important being the support for our circulatory system during the cold season. The dry heat helps combat the accumulation of dampness and stagnation in the body, as well as warming and nurturing our Yin.
If you’re lucky enough to have your own backyard sauna, keep enjoying it all season long. & If you are looking for a place to enjoy a real sauna experience in the Midwest, here are a few suggestions for booking a relaxing Winter spa day, or for the more adventurous, a complete hot springs getaway.
Palmquist Farm, Wisconsin
Moccasin Springs, South Dakota
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa, Michigan
Kohler Waters Spa, Wisconsin
KOSA Spa, Wisconsin
Larsmont cottages, Minnesota
Maplelag Resort, Minnesota
2. Take advantage of the extra time indoors
Looking to publish a book? Return to school? Learn a new hobby or skill?
The Winter season is a wonderful time to put yourself to the test, as our energy is more internally-focused. Deepening a Yoga practice with advanced techniques such as acupressure and pranayama can also help our body adjust to a colder climate. There are many continuing education courses for Yoga instructors available both in-person and online. My favorite option is to study with Science of Self.
If you’re more of a work-hard to play-hard person, perhaps indulging in a Scandinavian thriller on Netflix is the way to go? Nordic noir is full of inspiring and snow-covered scenery, with a touch of serial killing to boot. Or, curl up with a captivating book… Either way, snuggling under a favorite blanket with a cup of warm tea perched nearby is the best feeling on a snowy Sunday afternoon.
My Top 5 Suggestions for Scandinavian Thrillers on Netflix & Beyond…
1. The Killing (Denmark), available on Amazon Prime Video
2. The Chestnut Man (Denmark), Netflix
3. Woman of the Dead (Austria), Netflix
4. Wisting (Norway), BBC
5. Occupied (Norway), Netflix
3. Prepare Soulful Meals, Explore new cuisines
One of the most important pillars of my Yoga practice is what I put into my body.
During the Winter, I prioritize eating to warm my body with ingredients that also support Kidney function. Building and nurturing our body’s Yin (foundation- bones, blood, nerves) is of paramount importance to staying healthy in the long-term. Dark leafy greens (I have been loving our local spinach) and more salt added to our diet helps our blood retain nutrients and moisture to support our tissues.
Warming spices such as cayenne and cinnamon, and immune-boosting onion and garlic all work together to allow our system to function optimally.
Last Winter, all I wanted to learn was how to master the art of cooking authentic Indian curry, my absolute favorite cuisine to enjoy once the weather gets cold. I’ll share with you my tried-and-true recipe for making a perfect mixed vegetable curry, complete with cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, peas, and plenty of authentic seasonings. Simply serve with some fresh basmati rice, and you will have a beautiful meal that you can enjoy for leftovers the next day too!
Mixed Vegetable Curry with Basmati Rice
Ingredients
For the rice:
3 cups of basmati rice, 4 cups of water
splash of olive oil, about the size of a quarter
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
3-4 bay leaves
sprinkle of salt
Instructions for Rice (Begin first)
In a large saucepan over high heat, toast the rice with a splash of olive oil, stirring continuously (2-3 minutes). Once toasted, add the water (4 cups), sprinkle of salt, and cinnamon and bay leaves and bring to a rolling boil, stirring continuously. Once combined, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook over low heat for 55 minutes.
For the Curry:
2 organic yellow potatoes
3 medium carrots (local & organic if possible)
10 cloves of garlic (yes, seriously)
2 medium yellow onions, local
1 bunch of cilantro
one bag of organic frozen peas
1 head of cauliflower
1 small jar (8 oz) or can of crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
Spices:
1 Tbsp. cumin seeds
2 tsp. fennel seeds
2 tsp. brown mustard seeds
1 tsp. turmeric
2 tsp. fenugreek powder
1/2 tsp. coriander powder
1/2-1 tsp. cayenne pepper (or more for extra heat)
2 tsp. garam masala
2 tsp. mango powder or juice of 1 lime
4 tsp. salt, or more to taste
Garnish:
Chopped cilantro
Fresh-cracked black pepper
Squeeze of fresh lime
Instructions for Curry:
In a large dutch oven or stovetop pot, add olive oil and set the heat to low to warm the oil.
Prepare the onions and garlic first. Slice the onions into bite-sized chunks, and chop the garlic. Next, prepare the cauliflower, carrots & potatoes. De-stem the cauliflower and separate into small florets. Cut the potatoes into 1” chunks, leaving the skin on. Slice the carrots into 1/2” half moons.
Once the oil is warm to a hovering hand, add the mustard seeds. After the mustard seeds begin to pop, add the onions and salt and continue to sauté until fragrant (3-5 minutes). Then, add the garlic, cumin seeds and fennel seeds and continue to sauté until golden brown.
Next, add the powdered turmeric, fenugreek, coriander and crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine.
Add the chopped carrots and potatoes first, stirring to combine. If you need to add a little bit more liquid here, start slowly adding in a splash of water or vegetable stock. Bring to a low simmer, adding the remaining spices (garam masala, cayenne & mango powder/lime juice) plus the cauliflower.
Continue to cook over medium-low heat until the potatoes are softened. In the meantime, prepare the cilantro. Reserve a bit of fresh chopped cilantro for garnish, adding the rest to the curry, stirring to combine. Add the peas, allowing the steam to cook them from frozen, and finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh-cracked black pepper and a squeeze of lime.
To finish the rice, remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
4. Unleash your creativity
So often we wait to allow ourselves permission to be creative. We are all artists in our own right, so let’s devote some extra time this Winter towards expressing our innate creative nature. It is Aquarius season after all…
Whether it be through a community pottery class, or an online course in botanical watercolor painting, there are no limits to what we can set our hearts on to explore. The beauty of making art is that it doesn’t have to be seen or shared with anyone to be meaningful. Simply the act of making something with our hands lends a meditative quality that can be profoundly healing for our soul.
Dongzhu Pottery Studio, Ceramics Classes & Workshops
Crimson Artist Collective, Ceramics Memberships & special events
Domestika.Org, Online Courses for Creatives
Sunset Yarn, Knitting Supplies & Community CLasses
5. Transform Your space into a winter oasis
Organizing a closet for just one season may seem like a lot of work, but it can also be a task to look forward to on a cold January day after the holidays. Packing away the Autumn staples (flannel anyone?) and making room for the deeper jewel tones of Winter’s seasonal palette can make getting dressed easier and more enjoyable. Swapping out an overcoat or puffer for a deeper color can help make an outfit align with the stark white and evergreen theme of the Wintertime.
My favorite way to transition a space or a room into a more Wintery mood is to stage a vignette with a candle I can light once the sun starts to go down. Arranging objects in groups of one, three, or five also helps to ground a collection of plants/books/candles, and can create interest in front of windows where there isn’t much to look at outside. Adding plush textures with pillows and throws in coordinating hues also lends an element of coziness to an otherwise very minimal aesthetic.
Learning about color theory and discovering my beauty season was one of the most revelatory experiences I have had within recent years. No more do I reach for a cool-toned gray sweater, or unflattering shades of blue… I am a “Warm Autumn”- my auburn hair and hazel eyes coordinate best with rich bronzes, warm browns, and Earthy greens. I totally recommend researching more on this topic if you feel that your wardrobe is tired or in need of an update.
Try starting with an investment in a few timeless sweaters in flattering colors for your seasonal palette, and go from there. Look for designs that eschew passing trends and are made with natural fibers and long-lasting materials. This results in an everlasting Winter wardrobe “capsule” that can stand the test of time, ensuring we remain warm and effortlessly chic year after year.
I guarantee that a well-made sweater will soon become your favorite cold-weather staple once you learn how to find one that compliments your own beauty season. The best part is that by investing in elegant pieces that are true-to-ourselves, we avoid contributing to the fast-fashion industry and can support thoughtful independent designers instead.
Here are a few labels I have been loving lately:
Gamine, thermals and sweaters that are as gorgeous on date night as they are getting work done
Micaela Greg, that sweater you have been looking for
OZMA, natural fibers and beautiful designs, made in California
Parachute Home, linens for the best sleep of your life
Golightly Cashmere, one heirloom knit hat to replace the 10 scratchy ones that cause static and pill
Artemesia, whose lookbook alone is inspiration for a life sustainably-lived
LOWA, Winter boots to last a lifetime
Bluecorn Beeswax, the best natural candles to light up your home with rustic charm wherever you are
Beyond Yoga, buttery-soft, ‘Made in the USA’ Yoga wear
Have a favorite sustainable label I should include? Message me and I will add it to the list!
6. Eat More citrus
Eating citrus in the Winter makes me happy. I love the tart and sour rush, and find myself reaching for them as both an afternoon snack and delightful dessert. They feel like eating sunshine.
Tangerines, mandarins, oranges, grapefruit, clementines, sumo citrus, lemons, limes, kumquats… Have I missed anything? The delightful possibilities of eating more of this yummy fruit are endless.
Try peeling some mandarins to combine with pomegranate seeds for an elegant addition to a homemade brunch with friends. You could also add blood orange slices to a salad for a bright and yummy punch. Really, the best way is just to have a ripe tangerine by itself, savoring the delicious tart/sweet components. Citrus both cleanses the palette and provides us with a very light and invigorating feeling, offering a beautiful balance to the heartier foods included in a Winter menu.
For a wonderful morning tonic, try combining ginger powder with a spoonful of raw honey and boiling water, whisking vigorously before combining with lemon or orange juice. Enjoy daily for digestive support, metabolic stimulation, and internal warmth.
7. Do more of your favorite winter activity
Cross-country skiing was my salve last Winter. As the lake froze into an endless tundra, every day was an opportunity for adventure. Having a dog that loves the snow just as much as my husband and I do is also the ultimate blessing; she remains a steadfast companion and treasured part of our favorite Winter activities. If you have a dog yourself, you understand the benefits of getting out with them for a walk everyday, no matter what season it is.
Have you had a chance to try cross-country skiing? There are so many parks and natural areas that transform into a skiers paradise once there is enough snow on the ground… Check out this list of the best places in Wisconsin to experience the sport this season.
What is your favorite Winter activity? Ice-skating? Downhill skiing? Ice-fishing? Snowshoeing?
If you haven’t found something yet, perhaps there has been a sport that has intrigued you, but you have never tried before? There are so many beautiful ways to connect to the elements and appreciate the joy of nature in every season… And if you have been saying to yourself for a while “this is the year I am going to try …”, take this as a sign from the Universe… Go for it!
8. Immerse yourself in a Deeply healing environment
To me, there is nothing more healing and restorative than being in nature. Some of the best trips of my life have been to a destination where I immediately felt at one with the Earth.
The memories that we make during our travels to experience a new place or situation can have a profoundly healing effect on us for the rest of our life. Scheduling time away from work to allow ourselves an experience of our existence from a new perspective helps us understand healthier ways of approaching our life when we return. Going on retreat, even if it’s just to a new class or workshop in our own city, can help us make changes in our day-to-day that can lower our stress levels and make us happier, healthier, and more at peace.
There is a beautiful saying by Lao Tzu that always comes to mind when I notice myself trying to force something to happen…
“Spring comes, and the grass grows all by itself.”
Sometimes, the best way to move forward is simply to be still and allow the natural course of events to guide us into alignment with what can happen. Such is the beauty of living seasonally; there is a higher order, an energetic harmony behind the unfolding of everything. When we recognize this, we understand there is time to live our life without fear of needing to rush to figure it all out. We can settle into the rhythm of the Universe, and observe how everything is a part of something bigger.
escape or embrace wintertime?
Escape : Peru
Known for its inclusion along the striking Andean mountain range, experience the wonders of the Sacred Valley with excursions to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu and the stunning views of Vinicunca - Rainbow Mountain. A stay at Samadhi Sacred Valley in Huayllabamba will leave you feeling restored, with daily Yoga and hiking experiences, art classes, and delicious garden-to-table vegan meals.
Book your Flight: Chicago to Cucso
Embrace : Iceland
After a short flight from Chicago to Reykjavik, a stay in the Golden Circle will have you newly-appreciating the subtle beauty of a Winter landscape. Book a unique stay at an Air BnB in Selfoss, and shop for groceries in town to enjoy a dinner by candlelight- the sun is barely over the horizon for a few hours each day, just enough time to head out for a hike before relaxing in the geothermic pools. At Laugarvatn Fontana, enjoy a special tour after a healing soak to learn how they bake traditional Icelandic rye bread in the volcanic soil.
Book your Flight: Chicago to Reykjavik